Support for the correction of malpositions of the cervical vertebræ and the occiput.



- M. M. KROETZ. SUPPORT FOR THE CORRECTION OF MALPOSITIONS OF THE CERVICAL VERTEBRIE AND THE occlPuT.

' v APPLICATION FILED JUNE I], 1917.

1,301,276,, Patented Apr. 22, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEET 1.

IgVENTOR. BY z(.%

A TTORNE YS.

M. M. KROETZ. SUPPORT FOR THE CORRECTION OF MALPOSITIONS OF THE CERVICAL VERTEBRfiE AND THE OCCIPUT. APPLICATION FILED JUNE I1, 1917- .Patented Apr. 22, 1919.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

A TTOR NE YS.

MARY M. KROETZ, or SAN FRANc'Isoo, CALIFORNIA.

SUPPORT FOR THE CORRECTION OF MALPOSITIONS OF THE CERVICAL VERTEBRE AND THE occIrU'r.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 22, 1919.

' Application filed June 11, 1917. SeriaINo.174,361.

To all whom it may concern 'Be it'known that I, Dr. MARY M. KRoE'rz, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented a new and {useful Improvement in Supports for the Correction of Malpositions of the Cervical vertebrae and the Occiput, of which the followingis a specification.- My invention relates to supports for the correction of mal-positions of the cervical vertebrae and the occiput wherein aneXtensible' occiputal and chin support operates in conjunction with a spinal support to extend the erector spinae. i

Normally the spinal column consists mainly of a'longitudinal convex curve embracing practically all of the dorsal vertebrae, with substantially compensatory concaved curves above and below and embracing the cervical and lumbar vertebrae respectively. Below the lumbar the sacral vertebrae form a second convex curve terminating in the coccyx.

The normal position of the spinal column is maintained by means of the muscles known as the ereotor spinae which extend from the pelvis to the complexus by means of which it is connected to the occiput.

' When the erec-tor spinmandcomplexus are relaxed theweight of the skull isbornealmost entirely by the vertebrae causing an accentuation of the curves thereof, and a thrusting'forward and upward of the chin which positionis known as a mal-position of thecervical vertebrae and occiput.

This mal-position or abnormal condition of the spinal column and occiput may be corrected by extending the erector spinee and the complexus to return the vertebrae to normal curvature and position.

If the erector spinae and complexus are extended and retained in such extended position for regular periods while the occiput and chin are supported rigidly in normal position the mal-position may be permanently corrected.

To return the cervical and dorsal vertebrae and the occiput to normal position and thereby correct the mal-position I have devised the device disclosed in the drawings forming a part of the present specification wherein like characters of reference are used to designate similar parts throughout the said which F 1gure l is a rear perspective view of a patient disclosing my improved support applied thereto; 7 Fig. 2 is a front View of a patient Wearing my improved support;

7 Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a support as applied to the human figure, the dotted lines being used to indicate approximately the abnormal or mal-position;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the support removed from the person; and

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the support. Referring to the drawings the numeral 1 is used to designate a pair of rigid steel stays arranged to conform to the normal curvature and contour of the spinal column. The stays 1' are suitably incased in pockets 2 of a corset 3 provided with a lower abdonnnal pad 4: connected to the lumbar region of the stays 1 by means of suitable elastic connections 6 by means of which the stays 1 may be held rigidly and securely against or adjacent to said lumbar region.

The stays 1 are held rigidly against the dorsal vertebrae by means of a belt or strap 7 which encircles the person and engages the chest in the region of the sternum. To further retain the upper ends of the stays 1 adjacent the dorsal vertebrae a pair of armloops 8, having padded portions 9, are secured to the upperportion of the corset 3.

A pair of extensions 11 are provided with specification and drawings, and in slots 12 to engage screws 14 screwed into the stays 1 whereby said extensions, preferably of metal, are slidably mounted upon the upper portions of said stays 1.

Secured to the upper portion of the extensions 11 is a padded annular member 16 arranged to engage and retain the occiput. The annular member 16 'is provided with a series of buckles 17.

An apertured mask 18, having a chin support 19, is provided with suitable straps 21 To correct,this position. the stays v 1 are y, ectured iia ia en h lufni a l g o '1 of the spinal column by means of the abdominal pad 4 and elastics 6 secured thereto.

The upper portions otthe'stays 1 are rigidly the slots 12 and screws 14:.

The occiput is secured within the annular member 16 by means of the mask 18 which engages the chin of the person and rigidly retains said occiput within said annular member 16. By means of the straps 21 and buckles 17 of the annular member 16 the position of the occiput relatively to said member. may be readily adjusted.

By tightening the straps 21 the complexus and creator spinae are extended to further restore the spinal column and particularly the dorsal vertebrae to normal position.

Reference to the dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings will disclose that the skull or occiput and the cervical vertebrae, when in mal-position, are somewhat lower than normal while the upper dorsal vertebrae are deflected in the reverse direction.

It is evident from this figure that when the chin and occiput are drawn into the annular member 16 that the complexus and the erector spinze are extended and the cervical as 'well as the upper dorsal vertebrae are returned to normal position.

Retention of the person in the improved support for regular periods will tend to return the parts to normal position and the mowers mal-position willeyentually be permanently corrected. f ,7

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A support of the character described comprising a rigid support to engage the the occiput rigidly within the annular. memher to retain the alinement of said occiput relatively to the spinal column. 1

2. A support. of the character described comprising a rigid support to engage the person alongthe entire length of-the spinal column; means for rigidly retaining the support adjacent the spinal column; an an'-= nular member slidably mounted upon the support to engage the occiput; and an apertured mask secured to the annular member to engage the chin to retain the occiput rigidly within the annular member whereby said occiput may be retained in alinement with the spinal column.

3. A support of the character described comprising a rigid support to engage the person along the entire length of the spinal column; means for rigidly retaining the support adjacent the spinal column; an annular member slidably mounted upon the support to engage the occiput; and an apertured mask secured to the annular member to engage the chin to retain the occiput rigidly within the annular member whereby said occiput may be retained in alinement with the spinal column; and means for adjusting the apertured mask relatively to the annular member. 7

In witness whereof I hereunto set my signature. 7 4 MARY M. KROETZ.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0; 

